A Manatee County tortoise who has been on the run for a year has been reunited with its owners.
Last October, a 15-year-old African Spurred tortoise, also called a sulcata tortoise, disappeared from her Myakka home.
“I thought she had flipped over or somebody had her,” said Stephanie Taylor, her owner.
Taylor said her tortoise, Savannah, as well as her other larger tortoise, Daisy, escaped from their fenced in yard after a gate was accidentally left open.
Daisy was found a few hours later at a neighbor’s home.
However, Savannah was gone.
“I had posted flyers everywhere,” said Taylor. “I posted something on Craigslist, Facebook, websites, and our neighbors were aware. Everyone was looking for her.”
A year after she went missing, Savannah was finally located along a busy highway just two miles from her home.
A man driving in the area of State Road 70 and Betts Road spotted Savannah and called Justin Matthews, of Matthews Wildlife Rescue, for help.
“He said, 'Justin, I got a big tortoise here and it’s bigger than the gophers,'” said Matthews.
Matthews said after picking up Savannah, he posted a picture of her on his Facebook page.
Shortly after, Savannah’s owner contacted him and they were reunited.
“She looks like she’s in good shape and I’m very happy to have her home,” said Taylor.
Matthews said he was happy to help and is not surprised she stayed so healthy.
“She ate grass, I’m sure, they can survive on grass,” said Matthews.
Now that she’s home, Savannah’s owner said she’s double checking the gate and making sure it stays locked, so Savannah doesn’t disappear again.
Savannah can live to be 70 years old.
Matthews is hoping for another happy ending for another tortoise.
Last week, a woman called him after finding a small Hermon tortoise, from Europe, along Cortez Road in West Bradenton.
Matthews is hoping his owners will come forward.
To contact Matthews, call 941-822-3272.